From 8 to 12 May, Larnaca, Cyprus, hosted the international training course “Youth in Action”, organized by ENGSO Youth. The event brought together 25 young representatives, including Matilda Tommasi, President of the Panathlon Club Junior Trieste Muggia, representing Panathlon International. The initiative, supported by the Council of Europe through the European Youth Foundation, aimed to promote meaningful and effective youth participation in sports 
organisations.
ENGSO Youth: A Movement for Youth in Sport
ENGSO Youth, founded in 2002 as the independent youth arm of the European Sports NGO (ENGSO), brings together young sports leaders under 35 from over 30 countries, giving voice to the youth sports sector across Europe. This coalition aims to bridge the gap between youth participation in youth and sport, which is essential for the formation of democratic and inclusive societies.
An Event Rich in Content and Perspectives
During the event, participants discussed sports governance and mechanisms to facilitate greater youth inclusion. Among the notable interventions, Cristiana Xenofontos, Vice President of the European Youth Forum, and Christina Yiannapi, Secretary General of the Cyprus Youth Council, underlined the motto “Youthless policy is a useless policy”, describing the work of the European Youth Forum and the Council of Europe in promoting the rights of young people.
The second day saw a focus on human rights and good sports governance, with participants sharing their experiences, enriching the debate with different perspectives. The third day was dedicated to advocacy, with discussions on effective tools and strategies. Participants also visited Nicosia to meet Stephanie from United Sports Cyprus, an organization that uses sport to unite different communities and promote dialogue and peace.
Strategies and Mechanisms for Youth Participation
The last day was dedicated to creating strategies to improve youth participation in sports organizations. The participants, divided into groups, developed proposals for new youth inclusion mechanisms at various levels, presenting them in the final session of the event.
Matilda Tommasi expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to represent Panathlon International, underlining the importance of the experiences shared during the event: “It was a privilege for me to represent Panathlon International as President of Panathlon Junior Trieste Muggia, combining my experience as an athlete with an active role in youth advocacy. Thanks to the inspiring experiences shared by the participants, I have expanded my knowledge of sports organizations, from the local to the international dimension. These days have enriched me enormously. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to the debate on improving youth participation in decision-making and the rights of emerging athletes. I am ready to share my experience with the young members of the Club Trieste Muggia and Panathlon International, and to carry forward the ideas formulated during the event also in the Panathlon Club Junior Trieste Muggia.”
The “Youth in Action” event represented a significant step towards greater youth inclusion and participation in the world of European sport, paving the way for future initiatives and collaborations.